To wonder why people choose to live in London?

[Cantbloodyrememberthenameonthread]

I always wonder. And reading a recent thread prompted me to ask the question. Why do people do it by choice? People complain about the house prices (rightly), ulez, nursery fees, cost of everything being more expensive, commutes, tubes etc.

if you’re not absolutely tied to London for work or health or I guess family. Why do you choose to live there when there are so many cheaper easier lifestyle options in the country?

Quite.

I love London and for me it's where I want to be.

But that doesn't mean I think everywhere else is shit and I think a lot of non Londoners get weirdly oversensitive about it.

Different things matter to different people. I absolutely hate driving so that is a major pro to me of living in London, for other people, it's the other way around, they prefer to drive everywhere so living here is annoying

I also love the theatre - pre kids, we went to something almost every week (cheap off west end stuff usually), we still go every month, when the kids are old enough not to need a babysitter or come too, we will go more frequently again. I totally get that this isn't as important to everyone.

I don't care about the country side - I think I feel the same way about that as other posters do about the theatre. Nice to see it a couple of times a year, but I am happy with a park day to day. Again I totally get it's more important to some people than it is to me

I live in London because I have never found anywhere else in the UK I like. Was thinking about Bristol but the housing stock is gross and I don't want my kids to end up on ketamine.
Thought about Stroud but might get bored and apparently big heroine problem and I can't be arsed to drive everywhere...

I guess the only reason to leave London is the price of everything.

I absolutely get why they do AND why others wouldn't.

I personally love city life. I lived in another large city but spent large periods in London. The anonymity and buzz appeals to me. The multiculturalism means great food and there are lots of creatives and opportunities to try new things.

I now live in a tiny rural village and LOVE it. I also love the peace and the birdsong and isolation.

How wonderful that we GET to choose.

Couldn't agree more OP. Lived there while at university and hated it. Unless you're a millionaire and can afford to live in a decent area, it's a miserable little place.

People on these threads always put that there is lots to do in London which is true, but how do you find the time?
A couple with young children will both have to work full time to pay rent/mortgage. Then with getting children to nursery/school and busy traffic to work plus housework etc doesn’t leave a lot of free time.
Don’t you feel like a rat on a treadmill?

It depends on what you enjoy.

We prefer mature, small communities and quiet so we hate living in London but we're tied here for work.

One thing I can't understand is why so many people are unemployed yet parked in social housing, meaning those who actually need to be here for work can't afford to be here.

Before anyone says "but family and friends" this actually applies to employed people also and many can't afford to live where they need to work regardless.

Have you ever lived in London OP?
We don't now but did for a few years when young and theres nowhere like it. I absolutely loved it and go back with such joy and fondness.
We moved for more affordable housing and better overall quality of life but London is magic imo ❤

If they complain let them, there are plenty more who will see it as a fab place to live. We enjoy being near enough to regularly visit. I have long thought I would not want to be a parent or old person in the country. House prices and cost of living are things you have to suck up if you want to live near or in London and many other big cities.

I don't particularly like cities but I like London.

It probably helps that I visit a friend who lives in a nice area.

So much within walking distance...fab park, coffee shops, restaurants, shops, things to do.

Great public transport for going further.

Ironically, sometimes if you live rural, you have to drive 30-60 minutes for a walk in a park where in London (depending on where you live), it can be on your doorstep. And someone does all the maintenance.

I dint know if it is the best city in the world because for me thats Berlin, and NYC, and I love Paris.
but London is fantastic city to live in. Lots to do and lots of free stuffs to do with kids ie. Museums, transport, parks, etc

Again, the only alternative to London is to live rural??

I live in a smaller city, on my doorstep I have three parks, a lovely peaceful riverside walk, a reservoir/nature reserve…..

This just isn't true. I live in a 'decent area' in London, admittedly in a far smaller property than I could afford elsewhere, and in Zone 5. But then again, I don't think I'd have the career or salary I have if I lived elsewhere, so it's all just trade-offs. I imagine being a skint student here might be quite overwhelming or not much fun, but living here as a reasonably well-paid professional (certainly not a millionaire) is completely different.

Most people who live in London were not born here, so of course we know what it is like not living in London.

I do see a lot of people commenting whose sole experience of London was a trip to see the Lion King fifteen years ago though 🤷‍♀️

Bless you

If we had enough money we'd live there.

Public transport is great - museums and art galleries are all there and often for free - theater district which is pricy is also just there.

However most people who know who moved out - do all seem to wish they hadn't held on quiet so long that while there's so much to do - they often don't unless there are vistors as work and life and expense place barriers.

We don't live there and and never will because however great it is we couldn't afford to live comfortably - as you say everything costs slightly more and house prices and rents way too high and it's not the only place in UK wish we could afford.

Well there are all the hours after school, followed by weekends??

I have lived on outskirts of South London / Surrey for 25yrs. I have stayed 15yrs longer because my kids were settled in school here. Also, as they are mixed race and go to a very multicultural school, I didn’t want to take them back to Wales where I grew up and everyone assume their parent owns the local takeaway (that might be a little unfair, as i’ve been left 25yrs). They were also in an outstanding Ofsted school, and were very academic.

It’s been tough, I have raised them largely alone here with health issues whilst their father went to work overseas. But I absolutely love London and i’ll never regret living here. I am in best of both worlds, countryside on my doorstep, City in 15 mins. But i’ve had to rent. My youngest is 18, left school on Friday and I have bought my dream home up north. Not back in Wales but not too far. I may be repaying a mortgage until I drop, but I don’t regret putting my kids first.

I love London. not just the culture but the energy and diversity. Easy to get around, I have never needed a car, great food options, job opportunities, and contrary to what people think about London, I think it's a really friendly city.

Because it is elite...the best parks, museums, cultural stuff, restaurants. Plus, all my friends and family are here haha. Its less good if you dont have enough money to enjoy it though.

I was there 2 years because there's a lot of work compared to many places. I didn't like it though and was so happy to leave.

I've never lived somewhere so horribly unfriendly. I lived in Shepherd's Bush and Ealing and never knew one single neighbour, even within the block of flats I lived. Where I live now I know loads of people and have good friends.

Currently living in Cornwall but moving to London soon and I cannot fucking wait!

I lived there before. No idea why I moved back to Cornwall but it was a massive mistake.

Anonymity
Opportunity
Meeting INTERESTING people! (This is so important!) and listening to their stories
Ease of transport
Ease of getting abroad
Buzz and excitement
The freedom to be yourself
Hobby groups
Museums!!
Probably specific to me after living in
Cornwall - but the amount of medical help available. Hospitals, clinics, private options if needed.

Can't wait 💐 I love London and found it very easy to make new friends.

Our area of London has a fantastic community feel. Loads going on, sights and activities and exhibitions constantly changing. Everyone willing to help each other out yet not being nosy. It’s never dull and it’s a support network that has kept us going through some difficult times.

Also everything tends to be closer. The school run for me is less than 5 mins walk. Almost everyone attends a primary school within 15 minutes walk unless you have chosen a faith school or private school. Nursery was 5 mins walk too.

No traffic issues on the train, I read a book on the train or do my online grocery shop so I don't have to do it later

Nothing on your list is unique to London.

Why do you choose to live there when there are so many cheaper easier lifestyle options in the country?

Loads of people (loads!) don't need cheap options though. And equally loads of people without money have no choice.

(But YABU for starting another whhhyyyy London?? thread). This morbid fascination with a city baffles me, tbh.